His Banner Over Me is Love

When I was little, I loved watching the Miss America Pageant.  There was just something about all the beautiful girls with the gorgeous dresses and the bigger-than-life hair that captivated me.  I especially loved the talent part of the competition and would often imagine myself singing and dancing right along side all the lovely ladies.  Oh, and the Top Ten was always sooo exciting back then.  If you were anything like me, I would always pick who I thought it should be and rant and rave when the judges weren't "right."  

I know you are wondering where in the world this is going, but trust me, I have a method in my madness.  My "madness" is not necessarily to get you thinking about beauty contests and all the pageantry that accompanies them.  Instead, my "madness" is to get you thinking about someone being identified by something.   

Every young girl in that pageant wore something around her torso that identified her with her state.  This "banner" was a very important part of her reign, because it told everyone around her who she was and what she represented.  Even when she wasn't wearing it, the essence of the banner still lingered with her.  She was who that banner said she was - at all times - regardless.  She was "Miss So-and-So."  

The banner was her identity.     

Now, let's move that concept into the spiritual realm.  Song of Solomon 2:4 says, "His banner over me is love."  To me, that's one of the coolest things I've come to understand lately.  When I was a little girl, I had no idea what the phrase meant.  I sang songs about "His banner over me being love," but never could understand it...until now. 

A banner identifies us.  It tell us who a person is.  It tells us who we are.  It explains something about someone or something that everyone needs to know in order for things to make sense.  

When I think about God's banner over me being love, I picture it this way.  Every day, I walk around with a "flag" or banner over my head that identifies me...that tells people who I am.  The banner displays four words...four powerful, life-changing words:  "I love her...God."  God's banner over me identifies me as His beloved.  It tells others (and me) that no matter who people say that I am, He loves me.  It doesn't matter if my hair is standing on end or my eyes are sagging from exhaustion.  It doesn't matter if I am at church in the middle of a prayer meeting, or somewhere else in the middle of doing something I'm not supposed to be doing, my God still looks on me and loves me.  I am, and always will continue to be, the object of His genuine, deep affection...of His love. 

You see, UNLIKE the "Miss America" banner, the banner that God places over me can never be taken away.  Period.  It will always remain.  Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Praise God that His banner over me will always be love!  I can't think of a more beautiful way to be identified!  : )

Jesus, thank You.  Thank You that You love me, You really do.  And thank You that You always will.  Remind me of that love today - of Your banner today - that can never change or be changed.  I love you, Lord.  I truly do. 

The Eyes of the Lord

I couldn't help it.  I just couldn't help it.

I'd been sitting in my bright red, Georgia stadium chair, wincing and flinching at every move - every drill - every exercise.  My poor little (almost-as-big-as-me) boy was going through torture, and I was going through it with him...just not on the field.  He was completely drenched from sweat, and yet, the coach wanted them to line up and run the drill again.  I could tell he was exhausted.  My "Momma's heart" wanted to step out on the field, pull the coach off to the side and politely say, "Don't you think they've had enough for tonight?"

If it hadn't been for the horrid pictures of "Momma's boy" popping into my mind, I might have done it.  Instead, I thought better of myself and decided to stay quiet.  I knew Alex didn't want to quit running...not just yet.  I knew he "had it in him," but I wondered if he knew.

Back and forth, his body's form crossed my line of vision, running so fast and hard his body heaved with every step.  I didn't know if he could take much more...and yet, he kept on pushing...driving to be better and stronger.

I wasn't the only one who noticed my son's effort.  The coach's billowing voice rose above all the moans and groans on the field, "I see you, Kirk!  I see you!"  And wouldn't you know it...the boy who looked as if he was on his last leg, somehow, after hearing his coach's words of encouragement, found new strength to fight harder to finish the race....to push through the exhaustion and pain that was pounding in his thighs and calves with every step.  Somehow, those words spurred my son on to greater strength...strength I don't think he knew he had.

So I couldn't help it.  I just couldn't help it.  I teared up.  Pools of salty water welled up in the corners of my eyes, and I almost lost it,  for quietly off in the distant places inside my spirit, I heard those words repeated.  Except this time, the recipient was different.  This time, the Author was different:  "I see you, Kirk.  I see you." 

II Chron. 16:9 says that the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, (NIV).  Isn't that cool?  God's eyes roam the earth not to judge those He loves, but to strengthen those who love Him - who are devoted to Him.  That should mean something to us.  It should bring us great comfort that we're not hidden from God's sight.  He sees us.  He sees our struggles...our difficulties...our weakness...our victories.  He sees us when we think we're too tired to go on and just can't take another step.  And it's at those points where He does what only He can do.  He comes along side of us and strengthens us with His kindness.  He encourages us with the knowledge of His presence.  He spurs us on and responds to us and our situations according to His great love for us.    

Dearest Jesus, 
Thank You for your comfort.  Thank You for searching me out and fulfilling my need for encouragement today.  Thank You for strengthening my tired body and mind...for exchanging my energy for Yours.  Thanks for being such a good and gentle Father.  
I praise You, Jesus.  I praise You.   

I Shouldn't Be Alive

Once in a blue moon, the kids will watch a TV show called I Shouldn’t Be Alive.  Occasionally, I get sucked into the plot, as people endure some horrific accidents, only to emerge from the impossible situations, alive and well. 

The program lasts an hour - minus commercials.  So, in actuality, it’s probably only about 45 minutes.  But, because of its length, you can imagine the detail with which the writers go to keep the audience attentive.   They quickly draw you in by causing you to “know” the person or people involved.  You “become acquainted” with someone you’ve never met...and then something tragic occurs.  Well, of course, you’ve got to watch the rest of the show to see what happens to your new-found friend! 

There’s just something so captivating about someone being in a near-death experience and then being able to beat the odds and remain alive.  It always makes me think of how thankful these people need to be to the Lord for sparing them - for giving them one more chance to find Him.  For the most part, though, you don’t hear a lot of them talking about how God led their rescuers to find them, or how God gave them the strength to pull themselves along the desert floor, until they could reach the safety of their plane wreckage.  Most of the time, you just hear them speak of their strong desire to never give up, and their decision to fight for their lives, until the end.

Well, can I just say, as I thought about my own life the other morning, I realized their were many times that I, too, was in a life-threatening situation and lived to tell about it.  At those times, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” was so very evident!  Whether it was the time our family car rolled off an embankment and tumbled into the water or the time a pack of wild dogs came to visit my brother and me in the field, there have definitely been times in my life that were very questionable as to whether or not I would survive.  Yet “Somehow,” I did - without a scratch! 

Thinking about those instances in particular, made me think of a few more times the hand of God had been evident in my early life.  I thought about God’s protection and how I could see His plan for my life at those moments - how I could picture Him saying, “Enough” or “Leave her alone,” and instantly, my circumstances obeyed His every command.

I thought long and hard about those things...and I was thankful and humbled at the thought of His preciousness towards me. 

And then, I began to think about other times - times when I didn’t emerge from my “accidents” unscathed - times when Jeremiah 29:11 didn’t look so obvious - when it seemed that everything that could have gone wrong, did.  But you know, something about remembering God’s plan in days’ past - remembering just how “in control” I had seen Him be - made me think more confidently about His plans in days’ present.  It assured me that in those hard times, His control didn’t lessen.  His protective nature wasn’t dulled towards me.  Instead, His provision remained constant and the times when He didn’t command my circumstances to “Stop,” His plan - His perfect plan - just looked a little bit different than what I expected.

Thank You, Lord, for Your plan for me - for Your saving graces on the days I knew I was in a fight for my life, and even on the days I didn’t.  Thank You for Your control over my circumstances and their obedience to Your will.  Thank You that I can trust You to see what needs to happen in my life - and in me - in order to make me more like You.  Help me, Lord, to remember Your plan...Your design for my life...when the days get hard and situations seem insurmountable.  I praise You, Lord.  Praise You, Jesus.

“For God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,”  (Romans 8:28).

It's Just Not Fair

“It’s just not fair!”  If you are a parent, I’m sure you have heard this phrase coming from the beloved mouth of your little ones at one point or another.  But before you agree wholeheartedly with a resounding “AMEN!” consider for yourself that you have probably uttered those words once or twice yourself...as have I.

In Psalm 73, Asaph was feeling a similar frustration.  He says that his “feet had almost stumbled.  My steps had nearly slipped for I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,” (2,3).  He said they “are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men,” (v. 5). 

And that’s just the beginning.  He went on to talk about how the unrighteous were “always at ease” and “increase in riches...Their eyes bulge with abundance. They have more than heart could wish, (v.7).”  “Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.  For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning,” (v. 13). 

Looks like Asaph, like many of us, was indeed having difficulty with the idea that life isn’t always fair...that good doesn’t always conquer evil...at least in this realm of eternity.

Thankfully, the Psalm doesn’t end there.  If it did, we might get the idea that being righteous in an unrighteous world just doesn’t pay.   Instead, rather than complaining and getting stuck in his discouragement, Asaph takes this issue to God.  “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me - UNTIL I went in to the sanctuary of God, Then I understood their end,” (17).

In the verses before Asaph’s “quiet time,” he had been envious and almost bitter about the prosperity of the wicked.  However, after coming to understand their ultimate fate,  Asaph’s heart was humbled and broken for them - and thankful for his relationship with the Lord - “ I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.  Nevertheless I am continually with you; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there Is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” 

God reminded Asaph that not only would good eventually prevail, and evil receive its just reward, but that in the midst of it all, He was there...holding his hand...giving him strength to endure...guiding him in every step he took. 

Maybe you find yourself in a similar boat today.  Maybe your tired of living the righteous life at work.  Maybe your tired of living the righteous life at home.  Whatever the case, I’m sure it feels like it would be so much easier just to yell at someone - just once - or choose to lie about something - just once.  After all, the results would make life seem a little fairer, and you’d feel a lot better about someone else getting what they deserved.  I can promise you, that wouldn’t be the case at all.  Giving in to the flesh will only serve to cause you to lose the ground you’ve gained in your witness, as well as break your sweet fellowship with the Lord.  Besides, it might even lead the unrighteous, further into unrighteousness after seeing you fall.

So, I encourage you.  Don’t lose heart in the midst of the battle.  God IS just and fair.  Good will ultimately prevail...and who knows.  Maybe He might just choose to use your righteousness in the midst of an unrighteous situation, to turn the wicked from their ultimate fate.

Open our eyes, Lord, to see further down the road than just where we are today.  Help us see You working in our lives...drawing us closer...using pressure to create beautiful examples of Yourself in us for others to follow.  Thank You for being good and just.  I praise You, Jesus.  Praise You. 

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

They were stuck. The Israelites knew it. Moses knew it. The Egyptians knew it. 

“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness’” (Ex. 14:10-12).

The Israelites were stuck between a rock and a hard place, but there was nothing proverbial about their danger. The Egyptians were chasing after them to annihilate them, and the Red Sea in front of them was in effect, pinning them down until the enemy got there.

They were stuck…and in the midst of their fear, they complained against Moses and God. “How could he lead us out here in the desert just to die? Why did we follow Moses after all? We had it better back in Egypt! What have you done to us, Moses? Where is our God?!” (paraphrased).

You know, I don’t think Moses knew what God was going to do either. I think he probably fought the same questions and fear threatening to take over his mind, as well. AND I think it was just as big a surprise to him as it was to everyone else, when the sea opened up and granted a way of deliverance for God’s people and a way of destruction for the Egyptians

The difference was in the way Moses chose to respond to their situation. He didn’t allow the fear and questions to overshadow his faith. Instead, he made a choice to respond in faith: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” Ex. 14:13a.

Moses was in just as much danger, if not more so, than the other Israelites. If he were captured by the Egyptians, he would probably be cruelly tortured before his death. After all, in the minds of the Pharaoh, things were going pretty well until Moses showed up on the scene. Moses had turned his world upside down and in his mind, killed his son in the process. So, if any Israelite had something to fear, it was Moses. And yet his response was anything other than fearful. Instead, his response was one of faith. Moses had spoken with God. He knew God would deliver them. He just didn’t know how. He trusted that God would not allow them to be taken back to Egypt or slaughtered in the desert, for God had proved to him over and over again that He was worthy of trust. God would lead the people to the Promised Land, and this was just one more obstacle to be overcome before they could get there.

I would love to say that my visits between the rocks and the hard places have always proven me to be faithful and trustworthy to God. I would like to say that I would never have responded the way the Israelites did…doubting their path…their leader…their plan…I would like to say that, but I can’t. All too often, I respond the same way they did. I find myself overcome with fear at what is threatening to consume me and in panic over what is ahead of me, blocking my path.

So, today, I’m thinking that before I get in the midst of that situation again – between a rock and a hard place – I will go ahead and make the decision to trust God when those hard times do come. I’ll choose to believe that He alone can deliver, and desires to do so. I’ll choose to remember than He is able and that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And then I will watch and with pancake-sized eyeballs and my mouth dropped open to see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for me. Won’t you join me?!

Dear Jesus, I don’t want to wait to choose faith. I choose to believe today in Your awesome plan for my life. I choose to believe that whatever rocks and hard places come my way, they are not for my destruction, but for Your glory. Help me remain faithful, Lord, as You are faithful to me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.

The Treasure of Marriage

This time of year always reminds me of the wonderful day I met my husband.  It was at a 4th of July picnic in Rome, GA - a looooonnnggg time ago - almost 20 years now.  That time frame doesn’t seem possible, but as most of you will attest, time flies when you’re having fun. 

Steve jokingly always says that I “saw him and had to have him.”  Of course, there was quite a bit more to it than that, and one day I’ll have to write it all down for you.  It’s an amazing story, full of God’s intricate timing and unexpected surprises. 

God gave us each other that day...and has blessed us abundantly through this gift of marriage. Sometimes though, I lose sight of that.  I lose sight of what a GIFT I have in my husband, and I take God’s gift for granted. 

For example, the other day I just plain woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  (I know none of you ever do that!)  Things continued to get on my nerves until by the end of the day, I was simply “not nice” to my husband.  Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t yelling at him or throwing things.  I just wasn’t being very nice.  Period.  

The next morning, I got up early and went to spend some time with the Lord.  Still a little grumpy from the night before, I plopped down in my chair and pulled out my Bible.  I just opened it.  I didn’t try to find a verse.  I didn’t get out my devotional book.  I just opened my Bible and began to read. 

Oh how thankful I am for God’s gentle rebukes.  He doesn’t cram judgement down my throat - unless I really need it!  Instead, He gently shows me things in His Word and lets the Spirit do His work.  

I began reading that morning in Malachi 2.  The first part of the passage immediately got my attention.  “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.  If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings.  Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.” 

Pretty powerful stuff, huh?  So, I read on, fully expecting to read more of the dreadful things Judah had done against God, and His judgement upon them.  Then, I reached verse 11: “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.” 

My eyeballs stopped dead in their tracks.  I read part of the verse again...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves.  I, in no way, had committed the sin that Judah had.  After all, Steve was a Believer.  I HAD however, taken the gift which is holy...which God loves...for granted.  I had, in essence, turned my nose up at my marriage and at my God who had given that gift it to me.  

It would sort of be like you giving someone you love, something very valuable and precious.  They received your gift, gladly, but then put it down to be trampled on the ground, instead of holding it close to their body and protecting it. 

Think I’m taking this analogy too far?  After all, it wasn’t like I screamed at him or took His favorite coffee cup and smashed it against the wall.  I just let him know that I wasn’t happy with him...in a smart-elec, kinda way. 

No, I don’t think that analogy is a stretch by any means.  God said marriage is His HOLY INSTITUTION WHICH HE LOVES.  Anytime I neglect a gift that God has given me - whatever it is - I have wronged Him,  no matter how small the neglect may seem. 

So, what’s the point?  The point is...you and I need to take our marriages seriously.  We need to protect them from little grumblings and bad attitudes.  We must give our husband/wife precedence over how we feel at the moment, and if he/she has done something to aggravate us, we must make it right with God and then with them.  We should never just go to bed grumpy and by doing so take the beautiful gift that God has given us in marriage, for granted.  We must cherish it as God does and treat it as His holy institution which He loves. 

Jesus, we really do want to honor You with our lives...with our marriages.  We want to bring You glory, by showing others the reality of Your love, through the gift You have called marriage.  We are a picture of Your covenant love towards those who believe.  May that picture be an accurate representation of You.  Forgive us when we falter in that and teach us to how to hold Your gift as a precious and prized possession.  We love You, Jesus.  Teach us we pray. 

School's Not Really Out...It's Always In

²⁸ “ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matt. 11:28-30

I love these verses.  Those of you who read my writing on a consistent basis, know that I do!  When I found them years ago, it was the first section caught my attention the most:  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest."  But it hasn't been until the last couple of years, that the next verse in that passage has truly become a treasure to me in learning, not just about rest, but truly how to find it. 


Recently, one simple phrase from those verses has visited my mind over and over again.  I hear it in my spirit when I'm frustrated.  I hear it when my temper flares.  I hear it when my day is oh soooo long.  Learn from Me.  Christ says, Learn from Me.  

Sounds like I'm back in school, doesn't it?  Well, maybe that's because I am!  By using this phrase, Christ is trying to get me to understand that in order to receive the peace I so greatly desire, I have to do some homework.  It's not good enough to simply get up and spend time with Him in the morning before life starts.  This relationship - my surrendering to His lessons - has to be an all day long thing.  I have to put pencil to paper - for peace.  I have to learn from Him.  

I've found the main help in learning from Christ consists of recognizing when my relationship with Him is in jeopardy.  I'm not talking about eternal security.  I'm talking about recognizing when sin is crouching at my door and about to pounce on me, thus hindering my ability to hear my Father's Words and let Him teach me.  

For example, when I feel myself getting frustrated, and I hear those sweet Words of His - learn from Me - I CHOOSE to submit my anger to Him.  I literally tell Him that I am angry, and I am sorry for my anger.  I tell Him in my mind - and sometimes out loud - that my heart is not right before Him, and I need help.  I submit myself.  I  bow my head and relinquish my right to myself.  And when my anger subsides, I know I have learned from Him.  That's when peace abounds and anger is replaced.  It's strange indeed, but oh so amazingly true.  

So I ask you today...are you learning from Him?  Are you filled with the peace God promises or with frustration and anger?  Then let me encourage you, to ask God for ears to hear Him.  Ask Him to show you the sin that so easily entangles you.  Ask Him to help you learn from Him, and then join me in study hall, and we'll do our homework together!  


Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You that You love to teach us Your will through Your Word.  Thank You that You have provided ever instruction for godly living that we will ever need.  Thank You that as we follow these instructions and learn from You, Your peace abounds in us.  We love You, Jesus.  We love You.